According to Unicef, about 300 million children regularly breathe polluted air - every seventh child in the world.
They threaten airway diseases and brain damage.
Particularly affected are regions in Africa as well as in the south and east of Asia.
Around 300 million children worldwide have to inhale dangerously polluted air every day, which can seriously damage their health. This figure was mentioned by UNICEF Unicef in a study presented on Monday. The high concentration of toxins in the air put these children at risk of respiratory disease and even brain damage.
Pollution is a "significant factor in the death of around 600,000 children under five years of age". Every seven seventh child in the world is breathing air, whose degree of pollution exceeds the international limits by at least six times, according to the study.
These toxins did not only harm the children's respiratory system. They can also get into the brain "and cause permanent damage to the developing brains," explained Unicef Director Anthony Lake. This would irreversibly affect the future of these children: "No society can afford to ignore air pollution."
Children in South and East Asia as well as in Africa are particularly affected. The toxins originated from car exhaust gases and other fossil fuels, from the incineration of garbage and the spread of dust. In addition, particularly poorer children are exposed to poisonous air in their homes when wood and coal are burnt there for cooking and heating.
